At age 49, Hopkins will attempt to become the oldest fighter in boxing history to unify world titles. Hopkins has an outstanding track-record, as he has proven to be one of the greatest fighters in boxing history. Hopkins holds the record for most consecutive middleweight title defenses with 20. He is the only fighter to unify the IBF/WBC/WBA/WBO and Ring Magazine titles. Hopkins, in May 2011, became the oldest fighter in professional sports to win a championship at age 46.

“It’s no secret that my one of my biggest goals has been to unify the titles and getting to do that in a city where I have a lot of history is the best-case scenario,” Hopkins said. “I’m coming back to break another record by unifying the title and I’m looking to get my first knockout since I fought Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. I know Shumenov is tough, but I’m tougher and I’m not going to let him make a name for himself by being the one to stop me.”

In 2013, Hopkins has one of his finest years by headlining two SHOWTIME Championship Boxing events at the famous Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and the increasingly popular Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Hopkins cleverly outpointed Tavoris Cloud to win the IBF 175-pound title at the Barclays Center last March before beating Karo Murat in a very entertaining fight at Boardwalk Hall in October.

Hopkins, one of the key signature faces at Golden Boy Promotions underneath Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya, also has an active role in helping to promote younger fighters underneath the Golden Boy Live! program on Fox Sports.

Shumenov, a native of Kazakhstan, is a former 2004 Olympian. He won his first world title in his eighth professional about has five successful defenses. He is tough, aggressive, and always in shape. He scraps hard for each of his victories, as he’s learning what it truly takes to be an exceptional fighter with each title defense.

WBO middleweight champion ‘Kid Chocolate’ Peter Quillin

“I am very excited that the fight is going to happen against one of the greatest fighters ever,” said Shumenov. “I am going to do everything possible and impossible to get the victory.”

‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin to defend WBO title

Quillin, since capturing the WBO 160-pound title, has recorded an astonishing 11 knockdowns in three world title fights. Quillin has performed spectacular in fights with Hassan N’dam, Fernando Guerrero, and Gabriel Rosado. Quillin will be talking a step-up in opposition when he meets Koncey, as the former Olympian has never been stopped.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and defend my title once again,” said Quillin. “I’m excited to be fighting in front of the great fans in D.C. and I will give them a show on April 19. Koncey is an experienced challenger, and you can’t overlook anyone with 50 wins, but I’m going home with the title, and I’ll be looking for another knockout.”

Perhaps the best decision Quillin made in his career was leaving the New York fight-scene in 2010 to fight on the West Coast. Quillin spent a lot of time training and fighting in California and Las Vegas. When he signed with Golden Boy Promotions, his career elevated instantly. Quillin earned a high-profile win against Winky Wright on HBO in 2012 which led to Quillin’s 160-pound WBO title challenge against N’dam in October 2012 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

It appears as though the sky is truly the limit for Quillin, as performances are increasing exciting, but in April, Quillin may be in the toughest fight of his career.

“I have a lot more experience than Quillin and the fans will see that on April 19,” said Konecy. “This is my first fight in the U.S. and I don’t plan on going home without that belt. Every fighter dreams of fighting for and winning a world championship, and I am thankful for the chance to do that against Peter Quillin.”

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $200 and $300, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, go on sale today at 10 a.m. ET are available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000. The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ET.

Main Events Boxing Press Release

Atlantic City, NJ: Over the past week or two the boxing world has been consumed with the verbal sparring match happening in the media between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KOs) and Adonis Stevenson. But before any Kovalev-Stevenson match can take place “Krusher” will face-off against undefeated challenger Cedric “L.O.W.” Agnew (26-0-0, 13 KOs) for the WBO Light Heavyweight Championship on March 29th at the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ and live on HBO Boxing After Dark.

Agnew has been flying under the radar, so few people know how deeply the sport of boxing runs in his veins. His uncle, Chicago’s own “Mighty” Mike Evans (38-11-1, 27 KOs), started taking Cedric to the gym with him when he was just eight years old. Agnew spent the majority of his childhood in Chicago working out with his pro-boxer uncle. His youngest brother, Frankie, is also a fighter, coming off a Chicago Golden Gloves Championship and contemplating a professional career.

Cedric had a stellar amateur career, winning 110 of his 120 bouts. During his amateur career he won gold medals at the 2003 United States National Junior Olympics, the 2003 Sweden Cup for Under-19′s, the 2004 Chicago Golden Gloves, the 2004 United States Under-19 Championships, the 2006 Chicago Golden Gloves and won a silver medal at the 2004 National Golden Gloves. He also defeated current WBA Champion Beibut Shumenov.

According to Cedric’s promoter, Malcolm Garrett of Garrett Promotions, he was not looking to sign another fighter when he first heard about Cedric. He received a call from legendary boxing trainer Sam Colonna, who has worked with such names as Andrew Golota, Angel Manfredy, Angel Hernandez and Vaughn Bean, and told Garrett he needed to come look at Cedric. According to Garrett, “Sam Colonna told me that Cedric is the most talented fighter to come out of Chicago in over 30 years. When Sam said that, I needed to listen so I signed him.”

Cedric turned pro in 2007 at the age of 20 and has not lost a fight since. He is no stranger to big fights. Agnew defeated Rayco Saunders via unanimous decision on May 1, 2008 (just one year after his professional debut) to take the vacant WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight title. Three years later, on November 3, 2011, he knocked out Daniel Judah in the sixth round to take the vacant WBC United States (USNBC) Light Heavyweight title. Finally, on April 12, 2013 he defeated Yusaf Mack via unanimous decision for the USBA light heavyweight title. According to Agnew, “My win over Yusaf was one of the biggest of my career thus far.”

“L.O.W.” is a student of the sport. According to Garrett, Agnew watches almost every fight but especially the fights in the light heavyweight division. He has studied Kovalev extensively and feels he is ready for this fight. Malcolm said, “He believes he is right there with Kovalev. He plans to win the fight. We are hoping for a big upset and he has the ability to upset him. Hopefully the public will enjoy the fight.” And Agnew believes he has what it takes to defeat Kovalev, he said, “My brain and the way I think will be my biggest advantage in the ring. I’m a very smart fighter. I’m just looking to fight my fight, that’s all”

When Garrett approached Agnew about the possibility of a fight between him and Kovalev, Agnew did not hesitate. Garrett said, “I have learned when you have to convince a fighter to take a fight you are already in trouble. I was encouraged when Cedric took the fight without an ounce of hesitation. He wants this fight and he knows he’s ready.”

And Agnew is not bothered by the Kovalev-Stevenson hype; he said, “I try not to listen to the media. I’m just focusing on what I need to do come March 29th.” Malcolm is hoping the hype will work to their advantage and that the media is not the only one overlooking Agnew, “I think all the media attention about Kovalev-Stevenson is great and I hope Kovalev is overlooking Cedric like everyone else and it will work to our advantage. This is a fight Cedric wanted. He knows he’s been overlooked – out of the limelight under the radar – but when the bell rings, we will all know.”

About March 29th

March 29th features the light heavyweight world title showdown between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, (23-0-1, 21KOs) and Cedric Agnew (26-0-0, 13 KOs) from the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic, City, NJ. The main event and the co-feature (to be announced soon) will be broadcast live on HBO Boxing After Dark at 10:00 PM ET/PT. The event is presented by Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City. Tickets are on sale now through TicketMaster online at www.ticketmaster.com or via phone (800) 736-1420. Fans can also contact Main Events for tickets at (973) 200-7050. Ticket prices are $26, $51, $77 and $152. Doors will open at 6:30 PM ET. Undercard bouts will be announced shortly.